pages: CityCouncil/2022-03-01.pdf, 21
This data as json
body | date | page | text | path |
---|---|---|---|---|
CityCouncil | 2022-03-01 | 21 | Vice Mayor Vella stated that she understands the Oakland rent moratorium prohibits rent increases above 1.9% or CPI unless high is required in order to provide a fair return; inquired what is meant by the exceptions being Oakland and Los Angeles. The Interim Base Reuse Manager responded Oakland is allowing the AGA and are not currently allowing banked increases or capital improvement pass throughs. Vice Mayor Vella inquired how long Oakland has been allowing the AGA. The Interim Base Reuse Manager responded not the entire pandemic; stated that she will have to confirm the timing. Vice Mayor Vella stated inquired whether there is an off-ramp if Council moves forward with the matter and COVID-19 cases rise and rent increases need to halt. The City Attorney responded there are some off-ramps, but they are limited; stated the easiest off-ramp would be at second reading; if cases rise within the next two weeks, Council does not have to adopt the ordinance at the second reading; if Council approves the ordinance as proposed and decided re-impose a moratorium, Council would need to re-adopt a rent moratorium by either emergency ordinance and four affirmative votes or a regular ordinance and three affirmative votes. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft inquired the process if Council amends the proposed ordinance to create conditions which trigger the off-ramp proposed by Vice Mayor Vella and whether there are associated problems with said course of action. The City Attorney responded the result depends on Council; stated Council could set forth objective criteria to pause implementation of the ordinance; Council can direct staff to bring back a first reading after creating a set of objective criteria. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she is intrigued by Vice Mayor Vella's inquiry; the rent moratorium ordinance passed at the beginning of the pandemic does not address advancements made since; Council has learned a lot in the interim; however, not everything is known about COVID-19; new variants are popping up and will continue; questioned whether a new variant could cause the Public Health Department to take extraordinary measures again; she is not sure how to include said possibility in the ordinance; inquired whether it is worth creating objective criteria. The City Attorney responded as long as the local emergency remains in place, the City Manager has executive authority and could impose regulations subject to ratifications; stated the City Manager could implement the actions in the ordinance and bring it to Council for ratification as long as the local emergency is declared. Vice Mayor Vella expressed concern about the notice provision and allowing groups to have an opportunity for input; stated there has been some input; however, the City should allow for enough notice time and clarify the notice dates; Council is trying to be mindful in its approach; the approach is similar to other jurisdictions trying to mitigate increases; expressed concern about what is unknown; stated there is an easing of mandates and restrictions; expressed support not creating language on the spot; stated that she would like staff to provide language, Regular Meeting Alameda City Council March 1, 2022 19 | CityCouncil/2022-03-01.pdf |